Publishes books in which the author brings the funding, either through
his/her own investment or through dedications. These books must
meet the same standard as all Targum books and receive the same
editorial, production, and distribution procedure.

So why author investment?
There are several reasons for an author to bring in the funding.
The first is financial: if a book is successful, an author stands
to make considerably more if s/he has done the investment. Several
of our best-selling authors invest in their own books for this
reason.

The second reason is market. As a for-profit publisher, Targum
must look to the bottom line. Often, books of high quality have
to be rejected for the painful reason that experience shows there
aren't enough people out there who will buy the book. Author investment
enables these books to be published. But again, let me emphasize
that if a book won't sell because of its poor quality, we will
not accept it even with author investment.

Terms depend on the length and condition of the manuscript, but
authors must understand that the costs of publishing a book are
not low, and the simplest ms would probably cost in excess of
$5,000. Authors receive a much higher percentage of sales than
normal royalties. In effect, the author "owns" the book
completely, and the publisher simply charges a fee for editorial,
production and distribution services.

Authors like to work with us because of our reputation in the
religious world as a high-quality publisher whose books are innovative
and creative. Editorially, we are particularly respectful of our
authors' styles; we don't impose our own image on each of our
books, which explains why our list is particularly varied. Targum
Press prides itself on its ability to work closely and professionally
with their authors.

Israel's largest English-language publisher. Gefen publishes approximately
30 titles a year on a wide range of topics focusing on the themes
of Judaism and Israel: from history, fiction and photography,
to cookbooks, travel books and children's books under its new
imprint 'Gefen Kids.'

When Gefen receives a manuscript from an author, there are two
criteria that must be met for the book to be accepted for publication.

The first criterion focuses on the content of the manuscript
- does it carry itself in terms of meaning and significance? Will
it contribute to the realm of Jewish thought or culture?

The second criterion focuses on whether the book can carry itself
financially in the current market. Sometimes, the content of a
book may be meaningful and important, however the current market
is unable to sustain it as a viable financial venture. In these
instances, there is the possibility of the author and publisher
undertaking to publish the book as a joint venture. This usually
entails the author obtaining financial assistance in order to
publish their book. Examples of the forms this assistance might
take are: a grant from a university or foundation that wishes
to sponsor publication of the book to enhance Jewish education,
or an organization agreeing to purchase an agreed number of copies
of the published book.

Of the 30 titles Gefen Publishes a year some are funded by an
outside source, a foundation, an interested organization or an
individual.

Gefen Publishing is always happy
to receive new manuscripts and hear from new authors. For more
information, or to submit a manuscript, please contact
Ilan Greenfield at
Gefen Publishing
Phone(02) 538-0247
email: ilan@gefenpublishing.com.
www.israelbooks.com

Urim Publications

Q. What specific genres or topics would you especially like to
see?

We want something new, fresh - even courageous: preferably something
of wide interest, and useful. Deeply grounded in Jewish tradition
and thought, but pitched to a large reading public.

Q. Who owns the rights?

Rights are with the author. Rights for publication and world
distribution, and translation rights belong to us. Royalty agreement
is made with the author.

Q. Is the author responsible for marketing?

Marketing is the responsibility of all who feel they want a book
to succeed. Books have a very tough time competing for attention
today, as there are so many new ones hitting the market each week.

(A major Jewish bookstore in Brooklyn recently told me that they
receive around 5 new books each week! How are they to highlight
them all, and where are they to display them?)

Without the author joining as much as possible in the marketing
strategy and planning of a new book, the book will have that much
less chance of getting noticed. If the author does not believe
in a book, then who will?

Urim pushes our books in some specific manners. We send out a
good number of books to relevant and interested book reviewers
and media outlets. We feature new books on our website, and often
send out a periodic subscribed email for our new books, which
goes to many of our clients, and booklovers and industry people
around the world. We place much effort into the preparation of
the content as well as the appearance of our books, to make them
attractive, and at the same time, keep the retail price reasonable.
We provide generous discounts to stores, which further encourages
visibility of titles. The more willing and able an author is to
make appearances for the book, whether in the form of a lecture,
workshop, reading and signing, radio appearance, print interview,
or web presence (including a website), the higher probability
for the success of a book. We work with the authors, to varying
degrees, to facilitate all of this, and when done in partnership,
both sides benefit as the book benefits.